A Latent Profile Analysis of Social Physique Anxiety and Exercise Commitment among Pilates Participants

This study explored the differences in exercise immersion according to the latent profiles of social physique anxiety among 184 Pilates participants. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS (Version 29.0) and Jamovi (Version 2.4.11), applying frequency analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability and correlation analyses, latent profile analysis (LPA), and one-way ANOVA. The LPA results identified three distinct subgroups—moderate type, ambivalent type, and stable type—indicating that Pilates participants experience social physique anxiety in heterogeneous ways. The moderate type showed average levels of negative body evaluation and physical satisfaction, the ambivalent type demonstrated both high anxiety and high satisfaction with body expression, while the stable type exhibited psychological stability with low anxiety regarding body image or external evaluation. Furthermore, significant differences were found in exercise immersion among the three groups, suggesting that the psychological patterns of social physique anxiety influence how deeply individuals engage in exercise. In conclusion, social physique anxiety among Pilates participants is not a simple linear factor affecting exercise immersion but rather a complex psychological construct that varies across individuals. Therefore, to enhance authentic exercise immersion, it is important to understand not only the degree of anxiety but also its underlying meaning and expression pattern. Achieving psychological stability free from external evaluation is essential for promoting positive and fulfilling exercise experiences.